News

McChord Reservists dedicated to Dover mortuary mission

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jake Chappelle
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  The Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center, Dover Air Force Base, Del., has the sole duty of fulfilling the country's commitment of ensuring dignity, honor, and respect to fallen U.S. troops and the care, service, and support to their families. Since 1996, Reservists from the 446th Force Support Squadron Sustainment Services Flight here have helped support the Air Force's mortuary mission.

The unit will send five more Reservists to Dover to support the mortuary between February and March. And they volunteered knowing their actual deployment window is right around the corner, knowing they could end up serving another six months there.

"The thought that we have volunteers who want to do things for this nation, shows the best part of who we are as a Reserve," said Col. Bruce Bowers, 446th Airlift Wing commander. "They want to do it to help other people. The fact that they are spending their time helping the families of some of the greatest heroes we've ever seen, makes my heart happy. This epitomizes who we are as a Reserve unit."

Tech. Sgt. Michael Bishop is preparing for his fourth deployment to the mortuary- it's the second time he's put his "service before himself" by volunteering outside of his flight's tasking- and he says, it won't be the last.

"This is my fourth deployment out of many more to come," said the Sustainment Services front-line supervisor. "I feel we owe it to the brave men and women who put themselves in harm's way for our great nation. It's an honor and a privilege to go to Dover as we're the last eyes before the fallen heroes are returned to their loved ones."

Bishop, from Shoreline, admits the mission can seem a little overwhelming at first.

"But once you get one mortuary deployment under your belt, it's almost like an addiction- an addiction to help," said Bishop who has also deployed to Kuwait and United Arab Emirates. "At first, I was the one who didn't want to go. I actually tried to get another deployment to the desert. The mortuary seemed like something I couldn't handle. But it just grew on me and I realized it's not about me, it's about the mission and the families."

Tech. Sgt. Katie Badowski, 446th FSS Sustainment Services supervisor shares a similar background as Bishop.

"I had been to Dover twice prior to this upcoming deployment," said Badowski who, like Bishop, also deployed to Southwest Asia while on active duty. "I felt a strong camaraderie with the staff at the port mortuary."

Camaraderie and a delicate mission have the former "Tops in Blue" star coming back to Delaware again.

"I knew after completing that deployment, I would go again if the opportunity arose," she said. "In this case, an opening came up out of our rotation and it was perfect timing for me personally. In the event an extension is necessary to assist with the next rotation, I'm committed and ready to fulfill any role required of me."

First-time deployers, such as Capt. Carrianne Culy, 446th FSS Sustainment Services operations officer, prepare for the best at the mortuary.

"I have no doubts, I'll be working with a group of outstanding people and for a great commander," said Culy, from Gig Harbor. "I plan on going to the (port mortuary), doing my job to the best of my abilities, and coming home."

As simple as it may sound to prepare for a deployment of this delicacy and given the current events, Culy has no doubts of what's ahead of her.

"I went to an orientation course at the port mortuary and felt like it would be a tough, yet worthwhile deployment to volunteer for," she said. "I saw Airmen who were extremely dedicated and meticulous in doing their jobs and doing them correctly.

According to Culy, the course at the mortuary was enough for her to know she would be volunteering for more than one deployment.

"I'm not sure how much longer officer assignments will be available, but I plan on going as many times as they need me to, whether I have a good experience or not," she said.